Sand trap and clean-out



N0v 29, 1955 F. E. sAARl ETAL 2,725,247

SAND TRAP AND CLEAN-OUT Filed Feb. 1, 1952 2 sheets-sheer 1 j?? we?? fors Nov. 29, 1955 2,725,247

F. E. SAARI ET AL SAND TRAP AND CLEAN-OUT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. l. 1952 @ra/af VVV/702% y P j +Qui@ United States Patent SAND TRAP AND CLEAN #OUT Frank E. sani, chicago, and Grnntrvgw. Roth, Evanston, Ill., assignors to Monarch Equipment Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois v Application Febrnnxy 1, 19sz,.sen1a1-Nn. 269,386`

4 Claims. (ci. 291-11) The invention relates to a sander for railway track use, and has for vone purpose to provide a sander withanimproved clean-out.

Another purpose is toA provide a sander with a clean-out of maximum structural simplicity.

Another purpose is to provide a clean-out which, during its operation, prevents leakage of undesirable supply of sand from the sand source.

Another purpose is to provide an improved clean-out method for railway sanding.

Another purpose is to provide an improved sander and an improved valve therefor.

Another purpose is to provide an improved adjustable air jet nozzle for Sanders.

Other purposes will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a vertical section;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is an axial section through a variant form of air nozzle;

Figure 5 is a similar axial section through stilll another variant form of air nozzle;

Figure 6 is a side elevation, with parts n section, on a reduced scale, illustrating the general hook-up;

Figure 7 is a section on the line 7 7 of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a section on the line 8--8 of Figure 1, with parts omitted;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic plan view of a modied form; and

Figure 10 is a section, on an enlarged scale, on the line 10-10 of Figure 9.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, and, first, to the form of Figures 1 and following, 1 illustrates' any suitable sand container or hopper, shown in Figure', positioned and adapted to feed sand downwardly through any suitable duct or pipe 2. A generally indicates the sander housing which, if desired, may be a casting, provided with a screw-threaded aperture 3 to receive the lower end of the sand supply pipe 2. Preferably aligned with the aperture 3 is a lower screw-threaded aperture 4 positioned and adapted to receive a valve assembly which includes a valve body 5 having a bottom opening, as at 6, and having an upward taper 4a. It will be understood that sand may be withdrawn through the upper taper 4a and the lower passage portion 4b, through the bottom opening 6, when permitted by the below-described valve.

Passing through the valve body `is the rubber bushing or tube generally indicated as 7. This tube has end enlargements or projections 7a, which'are'seated in suitable apertures at opposite sides of the member 5, and which also function to align the slot or aperture 7b in the rubber bushing 7 with the passage 4b. As a matter Iof convenvalve 8, preferably of metal.

2,725,247 Patented Nov. 29, 1955 ICC ience, the. lower part of thebody 5, below the threaded aperture 4, may be rectangularly formed, or may be provided with` opposite, parallel, plane faces 5a and 5b.

Extending through any suitable and cylindrical internalA bore of the bushing or tube 7 is a rotatable, stem-like having an external, preferably squared or flattened head 9, which may also be provided, if desired, with any suitable aperture 9a to receive any suitable operating tool. The head 9 may includeor be opposed to any` suitable disc or washer 10. At the opposite end of the valve a second washer 11 is illustrated. 12 indicates a cotterpin or any other suitable means for preventing unintended endwise removal of the valve 8. The washers or 'discs 10 and 11 are preferably ofy such size and proportion as to mask or cover the ends of the bushing 7. It will be understood that the bushing 7 may be of any suitable material, preferably of material having the general characteristics of rubber as to flexibility, distortion and wear resistance. The valve 8 is provided with a valve aperture 8a which, when rotated by an operator into alignment with the lower passage 4b of the body 5, permits the downward escape of sand through the bottom aperture 6 of the valve body or duct 5, showing that the trap is supplied with sand and is in operable condition, with the sand free to ilow. In Figure 1 it is illustrated in closed position.

Sand is admitted downwardly through the supply pipe 2 into the interior space or sand trap portion B ofthe sander housing or body A. This space, as a matter of convenience, may include a vertical bore 15 and a bottom horizontal extension 16, the bottom extension terminating in an end wall 17. If the sand packs, due to moisture or clay in the sand, or for other reasons, the operator can break up the packed mass by inserting a wire or any suitable tool upwardly through the aperture 8a, to remove the obstruction, or to break up the packed sand, and thus to restore the trap to normal operation. 18 is any suitable, and, preferably, cylindrical sleeve positioned at the left end of the housing A, referring to the position of the parts as shown in Figure 1 the sleeve 18 constitutes with that portion of the casting A in which it is inserted, a sand delivery chamber. Its lower, inner edge, as at 18x, is at the general level of the top of the sand body in the space or chamber B. It will be understood that the end wall 17 constitutes a dam or barrier over the top of which sand may be moved by the below-described air supply means.

20 is any suitable pressure supply pipe adapted to'deliver air under suitable pressure to the various belowdescribed ducts in or associated with the sander casting A. As shown in Figure 6, we may employ an air supply system including a pipe 21 extending from a suitable source of air through which air at predetermined or c ontrolled pressure may be delivered. 22 is a valve housing having a valve passage 23 which is in communication at one side with the above-mentioned pipe or duct 20, and at another side or point with the clean-out air passage 24.

The clean-out air passage 24 is shown as connected at its discharge end to the casting A, being, for example, screw-threaded into it at 25, as shown in Figure l. It communicates with a circumferential air inlet Vpassage 9.6 which surrounds the sleeve or pipe 18. As shown in Figure 2, the pipe is provided with two air inlets 18a and 1817. In the form shown in Figures l and 2 the apertures 18a and 18b are formed to deliver each a jet of air radially .toward the axis of the tube or sleeve 18. Preferably, they are coaxial, whereby the jets meet head on. Thereby, air meets air, and there is, therefore, no sand blast effected against the opposite wall, since each jet cushions Athe other.

The air supply passage 2i) communicates with an inter- Thevalve 8 is shown ast nally formed duct 3l) in the casting A, as shown in Figure 2, the duet being shown as having an angular end passage 30a, closed by the screw-threaded plug 30h. The air which enters through the duct 20 to the ducts 30 and 30a is delivered through the aperture or cross-duct 31 to a suitable nozzle. Such a nozzle is illustrated at 35 in Figures l, 2 and 3. It is shown as having an internal bore 35a and a side discharge aperture 35b. The nozzle is screw-threaded into the casting, as at 35C, and, preferably, has a tool or screwdriver receiving slot on its end 35d. If desired, it may also have an indicating slot 35e. The particular indicating slot shown, as in Figure 3, indicates, when it is in horizontal position, that the aperture 35h is positioned to direct air downwardly against the exposed sand-which has piled against the end wall 17 adjacent the lip 18x. It will be understood, of course, that any other suitable indicating means may be used, but it will be clear from the proportions of the device that when the final delivery pipe 36 is removed, any operator, with any suitable tool, such as an ordinary screwdriver, can insert, remove, or adjust the nozzle 35. Thus the impingement of the air on the sand may be prevented, varied, controlled, or adjusted, by rotation of the nozzle 35.

An important feature of the invention is to provide an adequate, initial clean-out blast which practically substantially instantaneously cleans out the sleeve 18 and the pipe 36, without any unintended further leakage or llow of sand. As will be seen from Figure 6, we illustrate a suitable valve structure to obtain the desired result. The valve structure is not of itself part of the present invention but indicates a practical expedient.

Assume that the valve V of Figure 6 is closed, the valve parts will be in the position shown in Figure 6, the spring 40 will urge the valve piston 41 upwardly toward the top 22a of the housing 22. The valve member 42 will be in the closed position in which it is shown, and no air will be flowing either through the duct 20 or the duct 24. If the operator moves the valve V to open position the piston 41 moves downwardly, referring to the position in which the parts are shown in Figure 6, and initially moves the valve 42 to the open position. Air under pressure will then flow through the duct 21 and will ow, at the same time, through the pipe 20 and through the pipe 24. It will be noted that the cross-sectional area or the delivery gauge of the pipe 24 is greater than that of the pipe 2t?, and the maximum initial flow of air will therefore be to the circumferential air inlet passage 26 of Figures l, 2 and 3, and through the opposed air inlets 18a and 18b. This flow will shortly terminate, since, as the piston 41 moves downwardly against the compression of the spring 40, the piston portion 43 of smaller diameter will cut off the connection to the pipe 24, and the entire air supply will be delivered through the pipe 20. The air supply delivered through the pipe 20 will flow to and through the nozzle 35, and will convey sand through the sleeve 18 and through the delivery pipe 36 to the point of final application. If the nozzle 35 is in the position in which it is shown in Figures l to 3, inclusive, it will direct a blast of air against the exposed sand surface, and this air and the sand will then flow through the pipe 36 to the point of final discharge or application.

Under some circumstances we nd it advantageous to employ a variety of nozzles, with or without the abovedescribed clean-out arrangement, In Figure 4 we illustrate a nozzle t) having an axial end delivery duct 50a,

of relatively small gauge, and two radial discharge ducts.

50]; and 50c of different gauge. 50d is any indicator, so that the operator, looking through the open end of the casting A, will know how the nozzle is set.

In Figure 5 we illustrate a still different type of nozzle 55 in which there is no axial air delivery duct but in which radial discharge passages or ducts 55b and 55e are employed. In the form of Figure 5 they are shown as of like gauge. It will be understood, of course, as to both forms, that the discharge ducts may be widely varied as to number and relative proportion or gauge, and as to angle. 55d is a position indicator similar to 50d.

In the form of Figures 9 and l0 we illustrate a variant arrangement in which the above-described clean-out structure is omitted. The main casting or housing AA is generally the same as A of Figure 1, but the sleeve 18 is omitted, and no clean-out passages are employed. Instead, we employ a delivery bore or chamber 60 extending directly to the supply or conveying pipe 61 which carries the sand to the point of use. It will be understood that the passage 30, 30a of Figure 2, or its equivalent, is employed, the end duct 62 being indicated in Figure l0 as having a cross-delivery passage 62a through which air is delivered to the nozzle 65. The nozzle is shown as having an axial air delivery passage 65a and a radial air delivery passage 6517, which may be perpendicular to the axis, or may be otherwise inclined thereto. When the parts are in the position of Figure 10, air from the passage 65b impinges upon the exposed top surface of the sand. The sand is conveyed through the bore or sand delivery portion 60 and to and through the pipe 61 by the assistance of air delivered from the axial outlet 65a. 65e is any suitable indicating signal, so that the user, when the pipe 61 is removed, can adjust the nozzle 65, and can know in what position it is adjusted. 66 is any suitable valve controlling the supply of air along the supply duct 67.

It will be realized that, whereas, we have described and illustrated a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of our invention. We therefore wish our description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammtic, rather than as limiting us to our precise showing.

The use and operation of our invention is as follows:

With reference to the structure of Figures l to 3, and 6, we provide an arrangement in which, by the actuation of the valve V, an initial clean-out blast of air is released and immediately cut off, there being, thereafter, normal air delivery and sand delivery along the pipe 36 to the point of use. It will be understood, of course, that when the valve V is moved from open to the closed position there is a final clean-out blast through the pipe 24 before the valve 42 reaches the closed position in which it is shown in Figure 6.

In use, the clean-out air is delivered through openings 18a and 18b, each of which is perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve 18. We nd it advantageous to use two opposing jets. But whether we use a single jet or a plurality of jets, it is essential, for our purpose, that the jets be perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve 18 and to the opposite wall of the sleeve. It will be understood that, before a sanding operation, it is desirable to clean out the sand supply pipe system from the trap or housing A to the pointof use, to` eliminate any foreign material that may be present, such as moisture, ice or the like. It is important to clean or remove any sand that may be left in the pipe after the sanding operation is completed. The larger volume of air which flows through the pipe 24, which is of larger diameter than the pipe 2G, performs the clean-out function. It is also important, when performing the clean-out function, that any wastage of sand through the pipe 36 be avoided. To effect the double purpose of an adequate clean-out and a restraint of waste it is iinportant that the clean-out blast of air be supplied directly against the opposed wall of the casting, or at right angles to the axis of the air passage. The result is to maintain adequate pressure against the sand face indicated at X in Figure 1, while delivering adequate clean-out air along the pipe 36. We find it advantageous to employ a double clean-out jet arrangement in which one jet is opposed to the other. As is clear from Figure 2, the jets delivered by the apertures 18a and 18b move along a commonaxis, but in opposite directions. Adequate back pressure is maintained against the sand, and there is no tendency to waste sand from the trap. And, at the same time, a clean-out blast of air ows through the pipe 36. While this initial clean-out blast could be initiated and terminated in a variety of ways, we iind it advantageous to use a suitable automatic system, as is shown in Figure 6, so that a single actuation of the valve V toward the open position gives an initial clean-out followed by normal sand delivery. Likewise, a single movement of the valve V to the closed position results in a final clean-out blast of air through the pipe 24, before the system goes out of use.

It is highly important to be able to remove sand from the inner trap space B when desired, and we provide a valving arrangement which operates adequately in the control of the ow of sand. It will be understood that this valve may have other applications, particularly to the handling of granular or pulverized or abrasive material of widely differing nature. We find that the preferably metallic valve 8 rotates Within the rubber or rubber-like sleeve 7 quite readily, and that there is a minimum of wear on the sleeve or bushing 7 and on the valve 8. The sleeve 7 is held against rotation, for example, by the projection 7a.

It will be understood that, under some circumstances of use, it may be important to deliver air directly downwardly against the sand surface X, and under other circumstances this may not be desired. In all forms of nozzle herein shown it will be understood that the nozzle may be readily rotated, for adjustment, insertion, or removal, by a tool inserted through the open end of the trap housing A or AA when the delivery pipe 36 or 61 is removed.

We claim:

1. A sander assembly including a sand trap, said sand trap having vertical side and end walls, a bottom Wall joining said walls, and an inlet opening to receive a supply of sand in said trap, one of said vertical Walls terminating below the heighth of the remainder of said walls, at a point spaced from said inlet opening, to form a dam, a delivery chamber in communication with the interior of said sand trap and having a top wall and a pair of spaced side walls positioned adjacent and above the top of said dam, an air nozzle mounted in axial alignment with said delivery chamber and extending from a point within said sand trap to a point within said delivery chamber outside said sand trap, said nozzle having an axial air passage extending therethrough in axial alignment with said delivery chamber, said air nozzle having a lateral air outlet in communication with said axial passage and positioned within said sand trap above the sand therein adjacent said dam, said nozzle being mounted for adjustment about its longitudinal axis.

2. A sander assembly including a sand trap, said sand trap having vertical side and end Walls, a bottom wall joining said walls, and an inlet opening to receive a supply of sand in said trap, one of said vertical walls terminating below the heighth of the remainder of said walls, at a point spaced from said inlet opening, to form a dam, a delivery chamber in communication with the interior of said sand trap and having atop wall and a pair of spaced side walls positioned adjacent and above the top of said dam, an air nozzle mounted in axial alignment with said delivery chamber and extending from a point Within said sand trap to a point within said delivery chamber outside said sand trap, said nozzle having a lateral air outlet positioned within said sand trap above the sand therein adjacent said dam, said nozzle being mounted for adjustment about its longitudinal axis, said top and side walls of said delivery chamber being laterally spaced from said nozzle a distance substantially equal to the lateral space between said nozzle and the top of said dam.

3. The structure of claim 2 characterized by land including a groove in the outer end face of said nozzle, said groove extending on opposite sides of the axis of said nozzle and lying in the plane of said axis to provide for rotation of said nozzle upon engagement of a tool With said groove and a second groove in said outer end face of said nozzle extending perpendicularly to said first groove and positioned on the side of said nozzle axis toward which said lateral air outlet extends.

4. The structure of claim 2 wherein said delivery chamber side and top walls have their inner surfaces curved to form a continuous arch having its apex positioned substantially directly above the longitudinal axis of said nozzle.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 738,172 Edwards Sept. S, 1903 745,065 Knight Nov. 24, 1903 752,954 Carnes Feb. 23, 1904 785,284 Watters Mar. 21, 1905 836,870 Dodge Nov. 27, 1906 841,144 Hanlon Jan. 15, 1907 862,952 Watters Aug. 13, 1907 1,023,104 Carpenter Apr. 9, 1912 1,219,542 Gapp Mar. 20, 1917 1,280,146 Bradley Oct. 1, 1918 2,016,419 Elston Oct. 8, 1935 2,210,335 Mueller Aug. 6, 1940 2,529,751 White Nov. 14, 1950 2,599,774 Ohls June 10, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 276,761 Italy Oct. 19, 1928 

